The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday approved a new emergency health order for people experiencing homelessness, aimed at minimizing COVID-19 exposure. Effective as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, the order allows clients from community agencies who are experiencing homelessness to be temporarily housed in hotels. The intent of the order is to leave more space for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to be sufficiently isolated. Under this order, the county would reimburse the agencies through FEMA disaster relief funding. Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicouer explained that a previous agreement between the Lawrence Community Shelter and the county worked well before, and this new agreement is restricted to the use of hotels and motels — it does not currently include University of Kansas residence halls.
Source: The Lawrence Times
